Manage game servers with Pelican, an open-source panel built with Laravel and Docker.
Open source
18 alternativesPterodactyl
Pterodactyl provides an open-source panel for managing game servers in isolated Docker containers.
About Pterodactyl
Pterodactyl Panel is a free, open-source game server management panel built with PHP, React, and Go. It runs each game server inside an isolated Docker container and presents a web interface to end users, so operators can offer game servers without installing each game's dependencies on the host machine. The project states that it is designed with security in mind and supports a wide variety of games through Docker containers.
A second major version is in development with a modernized tech stack, a new admin area, and an extension SDK built into the panel. The 1.0-develop branch remains the current stable release line. The panel is distributed under the MIT license.
Key features
- Runs each game server in an isolated Docker container
- Built with PHP, React, and Go
- End-user web interface for managing game servers
- Supports a wide variety of games via Docker containers
- Free and open source under the MIT license
- Version 2 in development: new admin area and extension SDK
Best for: Hosting companies, gaming communities, and administrators who need to run many game servers with container isolation from a single panel.
Good for
- Free and open source under the MIT license
- Docker isolation avoids installing game dependencies on the host machine
- Active development, with a modernized version 2 underway
Watch out for
- Version 2 is still in development; 1.0-develop is the current stable release line
- Game server instances depend on Docker containers
Pterodactyl at a glance
- Website
- github.com/pterodactyl/panel
- Category
- Gaming › Game Servers & Multiplayer
- Type
- Open-source project
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Open source
- Not stated
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 6, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
Pterodactyl alternatives
Tools and sites you could use instead, ranked by how closely they match.
Deploy and manage Minecraft or Steam game servers from a distributed multi-user control panel.
Open source
24 alternatives
Pelican helps administrators manage game servers through a control panel for supported hosting platforms.
Free
10 alternatives
Playit.gg lets users host game servers on their own computers and invite friends to connect.
Freemium
13 alternatives
MCSManager provides administration and deployment tools through a control panel for managing game servers.
Free
7 alternatives
SquidServers provides a free desktop application for creating and managing game servers.
FreePick
Popular in Game Servers & Multiplayer
Well-known listings from the same topic.
Server.proserver.proMinekube Connectconnect.minekube.comPluginshangar.papermc.ioET: Legacyetlegacy.comR1Deltar1delta.net
Pterodactyl FAQ
Is Pterodactyl free to use?
Yes. The project describes the panel as free and open source under the MIT license.
How does it keep game servers separated?
Each game server runs in an isolated Docker container. The project says this lets you run servers without bloating machines with additional dependencies.
What is planned for Pterodactyl v2?
A modernized tech stack, a new admin area, and an extension SDK built into the panel. Development happens on the 2.0-develop branch, while 1.0-develop remains the stable release line.
Is something wrong or out of date?
Tell us and an editor will check it.
Own this website?
Claim this listing
Claim the listing and suggest updates yourself. An editor checks every claim first.